2008 Interview Essay - LibraryRoutesProject

A library student asked me the following questions in 2008. They may help future librarians get a better idea of teen services librarianship in a small public library.

Teen Services librarian in two small public libraries

Questions:

1. What was the one thing that you found most surprising about your current job? Something that was totally unexpected?
1. Many small communities do not provide enough services for teens. The library has become a social hub for youth in towns—especially after school. 60 youth can be in the library at one time. While this was mentioned in library school, more focus was put on trying to get youth into the library, not how to deal with them safely in mob numbers. Theory vs. Practice.

2. Which one class that you took during your degree program has been most helpful in your current work environment? My Adult Public Services class focused on providing service to the general user. This is important in a public library where I work with not only teens but the elderly, children, adults and families. We heard from directors of small and large libraries who spoke candidly of the challenges of public librarianship. We discussed the trends of libraries becoming community centers. The issues we covered made me realize that a public librarian needs to be flexible, open-minded, and aware that their job description could cover everything from program development to cleaning the bathrooms.

3. If you could return to the GSLIS program now, after working at your current position for a year, what class would you want to take to help you be a better librarian? Or, what one class would you like to see offered that would help you in your current position?

Public librarians have a unique role in the community. I believe that a class that focused on customer service, how to deal with problem patrons, and how to manage teens while not alienating them would be very helpful in my job. Much of it is learned on the job, but some learning tools to fall back on would be handy.

4. What is your biggest challenge in your current work environment?
1. dealing with teens and their parents
2. office politics—everywhere you go.
3. Staying connected to the larger library community

5. What do you like best about your job?
1. I love doing outreach into communities that do not visit the library regularly. I feel like I am expanding the walls of the library every time I take a book to a juvenile detention center, or do an impromptu book talk at the middle school. One of my recent programs brought teens and parents into the library who normally see it as an intimidating place of learning. But if I am truly honest with myself, what I like best is readers’ advisory: I love selling a book to a patron.

6. What role does technology play in your current position?
1. One major purpose of the public library is to provide internet access and computers to their population. Therefore, technology is vitally important. We must be able to troubleshoot computer and wireless problems, be familiar enough with technology to teach classes on it. Personally, I focus most on providing a virtual space for the teens at the public library: social networking sites. I also try to make all the teens aware of our great databases as well as virtual downloads in books and movies. We are a constant advocate for technology and a way for the entire community to have access to it.

LibraryRoutesProject

I am the manager/children's librarian of a small branch public library in Oregon. How did I get here? I've worked in retail, telecommunications, education--why did I choose to go back to school to get my MSLIS? Blame it on traffic.

I had an epiphany on the expressway driving home from work one day. I had a lot of time to think about what else I could do for a living that would not require 3 hours commute one way. I listed what I was good at: I loved books and reading. I was good with people. And I wanted to save the world. The profession "librarian" sunk into my skull with a sort of pleasant inevitability: of course I was meant to a librarian. Why had I never thought of that in the first place? But I hedged my bets and applied to Peace Corps too--just in case saving the world through reading fell through and I had to go for a more direct approach.

I got into library school and Peace Corps on the same day. I decided to postpone library school and spend a couple years teaching in Central Asia. I am glad I did because my experience with teens in Peace Corps Uzbekistan really influenced my career choices later.

To be honest, all my past jobs and careers have influenced my job as a librarian. Being a public librarian requires so much flexibility, problem-solving and new thinking that I think coming to the profession later in life is an advantage.

I focused on a general course of librarianship when I entered grad school. I had an idea of becoming either a public librarian or an international librarian. I flirted with the idea of becoming a school librarian--but frankly, the additional schooling required daunted me.

It was through an extra-curricular reading club that I found my true interest: Young Adult librarianship. I enjoyed the resources, and I realized I was one of a select few who truly enjoyed teens. And public librarianship was the best sort of fit for me--more informal than school librarianship, but part of that "saving the world" philosophy the Jesuits honed in me at a young age. Expecting the unexpected is part of the job description in public libraries. I would never be bored.

I looked for young adult librarian jobs before graduation. They were few and far between. But eventually I came across a library system looking for a teen librarian--and they already had two in their system. This showed me they were putting a lot of resources toward teens. I jumped at the chance to be part of this program.

Teen librarianship theory discussed ways to get teens into the library. From day one in my new job, that was never my problem. I needed ways to keep the over 50 teens coming into the small library every day after school occupied, safe and relatively happy. In short, I needed to create a third space for teens. So I as a teen librarian I became a disciplinarian, counselor, program director--and sometimes a reader's advisor. I was never bored.

I recently transitioned into the manager's position of my small library. The only catch: I had to give up my teen librarian position and become the children's librarian. This has been a constant adjustment. I keep reminding myself that I must now talk to the children, not step over them. The first time I performed a story time I brought in a Hellboy II (complete with scary graphic) bag to hold the stuffed animals. I know I will get the hang of it--eventually. Public librarianship is always a joyful challenge.

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